Car Seats by Age

Car seats are available in a variety shapes and sizes, but each one is designed to safeguard children according to their age. Children should ride in their car seat until they reach the manufacturer's weight or height limits. Then, they are able to utilize a booster until the vehicle belts fit correctly, usually when they are between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

When looking for a brand new car seat, think about features like fabric that can withstand staining, removable pieces that can be washed by machines, and equipment that is easy to clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats cradle infants and toddlers protecting their spines and necks from injuries in a crash. They are also safer because they disperse the force of an impact over a greater area. This reduces the risk of the chance of injury to the spinal cord.

Parents are often enticed by the thought of moving their children forward facing before they're ready. However the American Academy of Pediatrics advises to keep them rear-facing for as long as possible. That means moving them to a forward-facing seat when they've reached their maximum weight or height limit of their current seat, as stated by the manufacturer.

Children's heads are big in relation to their body and is still developing. This makes them vulnerable to injury in a crash. In fact the head of a child could generate up to 25 times the force of their bodyweight in an accident -- enough to cause a deadly injury. This is why children are at the highest risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they are in a front-facing car seat.

Many parents believe that their kids have necks that are stronger than older children, which means they'll be able to transition to a forward-facing car seat sooner. But it's important to remember that a baby seat who is 95th percentile isn't any stronger than 5th percentile kids and no amount of push-ups for teens can alter this. In the case of a car accident a bigger kid's head is likely to hit with more force, which could cause brain and spinal cord injuries.

If your child is outgrowing their portable infant car seat car seat, you can convert them to a convertible car that allows children to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limit. Generally, children will reach the height limit first, so it's important to be attentive to the instructions of the manufacturer of your car seat on when to change to forward-facing mode.

When your child reaches the weight or height limit of their convertible car seat, you'll have to place them in an adult booster seat. The majority of booster seats have an indicator for angles to inform you that the seat is properly installed and is able for flipping into forward-facing mode. Make sure to use a booster in the back of your vehicle and always with the seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure protection for your child.

Forward-facing

Parents are often enticed to change their baby's car seat as they get older, because it is more convenient. They must remember, however that rear-facing seats are the best option for children.

In a crash with a baby facing toward the rear the neck could be at risk. The head can be placed against the seat with force, causing permanent spinal damage. Whiplash is still a possibility even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially true for younger children, such as infants.

A forward-facing child is also more likely to strike their head against the dashboard or window during the course of a crash. Based on the type of crash occurs and how fast the car is moving the head may be placed against the seat. This can cause fractures to the skull or spinal cord.

The current safety standards require that kids remain rear-facing until they attain 20 pounds and one year old age. This is because younger kids do not have the strength of their necks to withstand the forces involved in a head-on collision which tends to be the most severe kind of accident in which cars are involved.

The harness and tether will aid in keeping the child's head steady which reduces neck strain. In addition the rear-facing child is less likely to sustain head injuries because the impact is cushioned by the body of the seat.

If you have a child younger than one year old, and they are in a convertible seat or an all-in-one that can be changed from facing forward to rear at any point, make sure you read the instructions given by the manufacturer to determine when it's safe for them to face forward. The guidelines from the manufacturer will indicate whether or the need for a tether exists and what the maximum weight and height requirements are for the specific seat.

When your child is past the rear-facing car seat limit you can allow them to travel in a forward-facing seat with tether and harness until they reach the maximum weight limit or height allowed by their car seat's manufacturer. Once they've outgrown it the time is now to move on to a booster.

Booster seat

There isn't a set age or height at which children can safely stop using the booster seat. Children should use a booster seat until the vehicle belt is properly fitted, and that can happen between the ages of 8 and 13.

A booster can increase the height of a child, so that they are able to sit upright in a car. It also aligns the shoulder portion of the belt so that it is near, but not over, the chest. The lap portion of the belt must rest across the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats include a belt guide to ensure the belt is properly placed.

Booster seats can be purchased with or without a rearrest. The most popular model is a high-back booster which offers neck and head support for children. It's a great choice for vehicles with low seat backs and no head rests. Backless boosters are more affordable but they don't offer head or neck support. Some all-in-one boosters allow users to switch between harness and booster modes, which makes them suitable for children in harness mode up to 65 pounds, and later as a booster seat for about 100 pounds.

Some boosters are equipped with lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the vehicle's lower anchors, and a tether in the event that one is available. Certain boosters require a seat belt to keep them in place. Go through the manual of your car to determine if you're able to use the lower anchors in your car, and read the booster seat instructions to learn how to use them.

Some parents might be enticed to let their 3 year old, 30 pound child take a straight booster seat because they're growing too tall for the harness car seat. But hurrying to "graduate" your child out of the harness can be dangerous. Children can be injured or even killed if their belt is loose during a crash.

Back seat

All children should be in the back seat of a car as long as they can, using a child safety seat or booster seat that's been properly installed. Children who are too large for a rear-facing car seat or have exceeded the weight and height limits should be moved to a forward-facing child safety seat with a harness until they are too tall for this type of seat.

When your baby is no longer in an cheap infant car seats car seat they can be moved to a convertible or all-in-one car seat that has a rear-facing seat. These seats typically last for two years, or until the child is at the maximum height and weight of the seat. If you have a vehicle with a middle-seat, install the car safety seat so it can be secured tightly in this position using the lower anchor system or seat belt.

If your child has outgrown their rear-facing car seat it is possible to place them in a front-facing child restraint equipped with a harness and tether. These seats are generally used until the child reaches 57 inches in height or reaches the maximum weight and height recommendations for the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy a car seat is by studying the directions of the manufacturer or looking at the tag on it.

All children older than 5 years old should be in a booster seat or a lap belt in the vehicle, if possible. If not utilize the middle back seat restraint. Also, they should not sit in front if the airbag is active. Children who sit in the front seats are more likely to suffer injuries in a collision because their bodies are smaller.

It's a good idea to take your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for assistance in deciding on and installing the best child safety seat for them. They can also check whether your car seat is being recalled due to problems or safety concerns. Then, you can buy one that's compatible with your car and your child's size. If you're unable to test a seat prior to purchasing, make sure it has an exchange policy.